Contemplative Programs

Program Description

Contemplative Programs are offered Monday-Thursdays, 5:30pm during weeks 2-10 of Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Join us for weekly opportunities to engage with others in the community for meditation and yoga.

Mondays: Memorial Church

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: CIRCLE Sanctuary (Old Union, 3rd floor)

Open to Stanford affiliates. Sessions are free and no pre-registration is required. Bring your own yoga mat for yoga sessions.

Jump to Winter Schedule

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Move and Meditate

Move and Meditate with Sara Ivanhoe. Let go of a stressful Monday and start the week with intention. This 1-hour class includes gentle movement, breathwork, and meditation, suitable for all levels (Beginners Welcome!). Bring your mat, towel, and extra layers for warmth during relaxation. This relaxating practice is free and open to the entire Stanford community, so bring friends or enjoy a mini-retreat away from the demands of your busy schedule.

Sara Elizabeth Ivanhoe is a Doctoral Candidate in Yoga Philosophy at the Graduate Theological Union, writing her dissertation on yoga and meditation for sleep. With nearly 30 years of teaching experience, she holds a Master’s in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University and completed three 500-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings. She is the Founding Director of YogaUSC, Co-Director of USC Yoga Teacher Training, and a recipient of USC's Sustainability Across Curriculum grant. In 2024, she began teaching at Stanford, focusing on movement, meditation, and sleep.

Relax + Center with Yoga

Relax + Center with Yoga Class with Diane Saenz. Life is often hard and we need tools to get us through the tough spots. Come practice a simple routine to release tension and ground in the here and now. Learn everything you need to know for a confident self-practice. Beginners welcome with limited accommodations available for all bodies. Please enter quietly, especially if running late. Bring your yoga mat.

Diane Saenz (she/her) is a yoga instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the use of yoga and meditation to improve mental and physical well-being. With a traditional approach, she leans on levity to invite participants into the present moment. She completed her 500 hour level training with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization and has taught adult and youth audiences around the globe. She is also a campus dietitian with Stanford Well-Being and a proud collaborator with the Weiland Health Initiative on campus.

Student-Led Yoga Wednesdays

Student-Led Yoga is intended as a means of making the mental and physical benefits of asanas readily available to all, regardless of where you are on your yogi journey. Expect to move with your breath: this well-balanced Vinyasa flow class intends to get you out of your head and into your body, and modifications will always be available. Bring your yoga mat.

Guided Meditation

Evening Guided Meditation is designed to offer basic meditation skills, to encourage regular meditation practice, to help deepen self-reflection, and to offer instructions on how meditation can be useful during stressful and uncertain times. All sessions are led by Andy Acker.